What exactly makes you a candidate?

In regards to the USAFA portal, what are the minimums to be considered a "candidate", in terms of GPA/Classrank/SAT-ACT scores? And is it okay to put you predicted numbers, even if they aren't official yet - but then later update them with the real information that you send in?

Example: I have currently a 3.4 GPA, I know that I will be reaching atleast a 3.8 before the application deadline in January, it is alright if I put the 3.8 in (since I can still send in first semester transcripts)?

Example 2: I've scored a 500 in CR and 500 in M on the SAT, I've studied all summer and thanks to accurately gauging my practice tests, I can determine my scores should go up by atleast 150 points. Would it be okay to update the information on the USAFA website to "650" for both categories despite not actually having taken them yet, and then send in my final SAT scores from December?

Thanks.

List actual scores and GPA only. If they go up, you can always update your application. Admissions will check your information and you don't want to be seen as inflating or listing inaccurate information.

ca2midwestmom said:

List actual scores and GPA only. If they go up, you can always update your application. Admissions will check your information and you don't want to be seen as inflating or listing inaccurate information.

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I just don't want to have my application closed, which is my biggest fear, you know? I have everything else checked (Eagle Scout, Boys State, Team Captain, Varsity Letters, etc.) but I fear that my current low grades may keep me out. I am aware that other people have already gotten past the point to candidate stage, and are getting their letters of recommendation, essays, etc. already out the way and I wish I could join them.

About the inaccurate information, I thought they do not check it by themselves, but rather rely on the information you send them to verify the information you're saying is true?

+1 ca2midwestmom

First and foremost you MUST be honest. Put down your current scores and work like crazy to make them better. Good luck!

JoeyM said:

About the inaccurate information, I thought they do not check it by themselves, but rather rely on the information you send them to verify the information you're saying is true?

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By checking your information, I meant that SAT/ACT scores will be verified by official score reports; GPA/class rank will be verified by your official high school transcript/info sent by your counselor. If you are not competitive yet with your current GPA/scores, then inflating them because you hope (or think) that's what they will eventually be is not honest. The best way to get your scores/GPA up are to work towards those goals.

If you do submit inflated scores/grades, then interview with your ALO and are asked for copies supporting that information, what will you do then?

ca2midwestmom said:

By checking your information, I meant that SAT/ACT scores will be verified by official score reports; GPA/class rank will be verified by your official high school transcript/info sent by your counselor. If you are not competitive yet with your current GPA/scores, then inflating them because you hope (or think) that's what they will eventually be is not honest. The best way to get your scores/GPA up are to work towards those goals.

If you do submit inflated scores/grades, then interview with your ALO and are asked for copies supporting that information, what will you do then?

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I understand, and I assure you I'm not trying to cheat the system in any way. It's just I pray I can be atleast "considered" for an appointment. Personal family tragedies have occured in the past year, hence why my lowered GPA, but I hope my first semester of senior year transcript can show I'm serious. Basically, I just don't want my application closed before I even get a chance to show who I really am.

JoeyM said:

In regards to the USAFA portal, what are the minimums to be considered a "candidate", in terms of GPA/Classrank/SAT-ACT scores? And is it okay to put you predicted numbers, even if they aren't official yet - but then later update them with the real information that you send in?

Example: I have currently a 3.4 GPA, I know that I will be reaching atleast a 3.8 before the application deadline in January, it is alright if I put the 3.8 in (since I can still send in first semester transcripts)?

Example 2: I've scored a 500 in CR and 500 in M on the SAT, I've studied all summer and thanks to accurately gauging my practice tests, I can determine my scores should go up by atleast 150 points. Would it be okay to update the information on the USAFA website to "650" for both categories despite not actually having taken them yet, and then send in my final SAT scores from December?

Thanks.

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If you need to boost your GPA and your scores and are worried about being discounted early in the process, it seems like you could wait to initiate your application until you reach your desired grades/scores. I believe that you have until January to complete your application and you have multiple times to submit your scores and maybe one more round of grades before then. So if you take your SATs at the end of the summer and attain the scores you expect, then submit your application then and list your GPA and then update it when you get semester grades. In your case, initiating the process early may not be the wisest course of action. But I don't know...The only thing I do know is that listing an "expected" GPA and an "expected" test score is absolutely wrong. It is misrepresentation, pure and simple, and will get you disqualified right off the bat, even if you do attain the scores and grades you expect.

JoeyM said:

In regards to the USAFA portal, what are the minimums to be considered a "candidate", in terms of GPA/Classrank/SAT-ACT scores? And is it okay to put you predicted numbers, even if they aren't official yet - but then later update them with the real information that you send in?

Example: I have currently a 3.4 GPA, I know that I will be reaching atleast a 3.8 before the application deadline in January, it is alright if I put the 3.8 in (since I can still send in first semester transcripts)?

Example 2: I've scored a 500 in CR and 500 in M on the SAT, I've studied all summer and thanks to accurately gauging my practice tests, I can determine my scores should go up by atleast 150 points. Would it be okay to update the information on the USAFA website to "650" for both categories despite not actually having taken them yet, and then send in my final SAT scores from December?

Thanks.

Click to expand...

From http://usafa.smartcatalogiq.com/en/2013-2014/Catalog/Admissions/Definitions-of-Terms

DEFINITIONS OF TERMS
Precandidate
A student interested in attending the Air Force Academy who has completed the application/precandidate questionnaire.
Tentative Candidate
A precandidate who appears to have the potential to be a qualified candidate, based upon self-reported information.
Candidate
A precandidate who has a nomination in an authorized category (also referred to as a nominee).
Qualified Candidate
A candidate who has met all admission requirements.
Appointee
A competitive candidate who has been offered an appointment to the Academy.
Qualified Alternate
A competitive candidate not chosen to fill any specific nomination category but placed in a nationwide pool from which additional appointments are made to fill the entering class.
Cadet
An appointee who has been admitted to the Academy and has taken the oath of allegiance.

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JoeyM said:

In regards to the USAFA portal, what are the minimums to be considered a "candidate", in terms of GPA/Classrank/SAT-ACT scores? And is it okay to put you predicted numbers, even if they aren't official yet - but then later update them with the real information that you send in?

Example: I have currently a 3.4 GPA, I know that I will be reaching atleast a 3.8 before the application deadline in January, it is alright if I put the 3.8 in (since I can still send in first semester transcripts)?

Example 2: I've scored a 500 in CR and 500 in M on the SAT, I've studied all summer and thanks to accurately gauging my practice tests, I can determine my scores should go up by atleast 150 points. Would it be okay to update the information on the USAFA website to "650" for both categories despite not actually having taken them yet, and then send in my final SAT scores from December?

Thanks.

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First and foremost do not lie. If and when you enter the candidate phase, your self-reported information is checked against your official scores sent by the SAT/ACT or your school and your official transcript is reviewed. Admissions will know you have lied and this is basically a show-stopper.

Second, work like heck to get your grades and scores up.

Third, be patient. Your post indicates that you are willing to lie to get what you want. This does not demonstrate two AF core AF values of Integrity First and Service Before Self. If you are willing to lie to advance yourself, will you cheat to get a better grade? Lie to get a promotion... You know where this is going. The fact is that you have not earned the scores or the grades at this point.

Be honest and if it does not work out have an alternate plan. At least you will know that you did the right thing.

Thanks for all the input guys. I'm willing to work hard by any means to achieve my goals. Just to clarify, I was never willing to lie, that was my whole intention of this post - to gain clarification beforehand. If I were to front my future grades and achieve them it wouldn't be a lie in that case, but since I know how thoroughly they check, I definitely do want to play by the books in all cases, and not make any dumb assumptions on my end for how I would see the application process (I now know it contradicts from the USAFA point of view), and overall could jeapordize everything.

JoeyM said:

. . . If I were to front my future grades and achieve them it wouldn't be a lie in that case, . . .

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Let me perface my comment that I am not a USAFA grad, but another SA, and I am assuming the Honor Code at USAFA is similiar to my SA. For me the Honor Code is about doing the right thing and living honorably, not looking for some justification or regulation to say I am not lying.

USAFA is asking for your CURRENT grades, so giving them your FUTURE grades at best is a misunderstanding or worst deception or lie.

Just out of curiosity how did you come to the 3.8 cgpa? The way a cgpa works is all of the 7 semesters will be added in and averaged out to give you that cgpa. With 6 semesters completed and only one left, I can't see how you would ever be at the 3.8, even if you pull a 4.0. Or are you saying that the 3.4 is your uwcgpa, because the numbers still won't get you to a 3.8 since to my last recognition they use a 4.5 wgpa scale, and even a 4.5 next semester it does not work mathematically.
(3.4 x6 = 20.4 + 4.5 = 24.9 / 7 =3.56 wcgpa)
~ The only way I see a 3.8 is if you believed it was just one semester, and did not understand it was all 7 that will be placed into the equation.

I also agree with MemberLG, this approach is really not what Honor Code is about and I am sure your ALO will agree with everyone here...Don't do it.

They also will remind you that this is a whole candidate approach system, don't start throwing in the towel already, or worse yet circumventing the system.

Good luck and push forward.

Thanks all. Will push forward.